Phlox plant named &#39;barsixty&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new  Phlox paniculata  plant particularly distinguished by white inflorescences with pink centers and a vigorous growth habit, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Phlox paniculata

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Barsixty’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar botanically known as Phlox paniculata, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘Barsixty’. The new variety originated from a crossing made in 2004 in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The female parent was the proprietary Phlox paniculata plant ‘01.44.88.01’ (unpatented), while the male parent was the proprietary Phlox paniculata plant ‘01.44.95.01’ (unpatented).

‘Barsixty’ was first propagated by vegetative cuttings in 2005 in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands and has been subsequently asexually propagated by vegetative cuttings in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands since 2005. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands.

-   -   1. White inflorescences with pink center; and     -   2. A vigorous growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This Phlox paniculata plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the inflorescence.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Barsixty’. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken on six month old plants that were grown indoors without the use of artificial light and were grown in large crates of six plants each with approximately 50 pounds of peat per crate and with a growing period between May and September. The plants were pinched once at two to three weeks after planting and their stems were harvested regularly. Color readings were taken under natural light outdoors. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Polemoniaceae.         -   Botanical name.—Phlox paniculata.         -   Common name.—Phlox.         -   Denomination.—‘Barsixty’. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Vigorous.         -   Form.—Narrow, bushy.         -   Height (measured from the top of the soil).—30.0 cm to 40.0             cm.         -   Diameter or area of spread.—30.0 cm.         -   Propagation.—Via vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—4 months.         -   Lastingness of inflorescence on the plant.—4 weeks.         -   Outdoor plant performance.—Very good.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—2 weeks.         -   Time to produce rooted cutting or liner (young plant).—5             weeks. -   Branches:     -   -   Number of branches per plant.—5.         -   Length of lateral branches.—35.0 cm.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—15.0 cm. -   Stems:     -   -   Shape in cross-section.—Circular.         -   Aspect.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS 143A.         -   Diameter.—5.0 to 8.0 mm.         -   Stem length.—40.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—3.0 to 4.0 cm.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Leaves:     -   -   Color (immature and mature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS 137A             Lower surface: RHS 137A.         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Quantity of leaves (per lateral branch).—26 to 30.         -   Apex.—Accute.         -   Base.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Length: 8.0 cm Width: 3.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Pubescence (both upper and lower surfaces).—Absent.         -   Venation.—Type: Feather-like Color: RHS 144B.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Petiole.—Color: RHS 144B Length: 3 0 mm Diameter: 2 0 mm. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—15.0 cm.         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Cyme, single flower; self-cleaning.         -   Arrangement.—Terminal and lateral.         -   Color.—RHS 155D and RHS 58B.         -   Blooming habit.—Globe to flattened cyme.         -   Height.—15.0 cm.         -   Width.—15.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Globe to flat shape.         -   Fragrance.—Present.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Greater than 100. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Color: RHS 155B. Shape: Oblong. Size: Length:             3.0 cm Diameter: 8.0 mm.         -   Pedicel.—Color: RHS 138C Length: 1.0 cm Diameter: 0.2 cm             Texture: Smooth.         -   Calyx.—Shape: Funnel Length: 8.0 mm Diameter: 3.0 mm.         -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Single whorl Number: 5 Shape: Narrow             triangular Apex: Pointed Base: Fused Margin: Smooth Size:             Length: 6.0 mm Width: 2.0 mm Color (mature — both upper and             lower surfaces): RHS 138A Color (immature — both upper and             lower surfaces): RHS 138A         -   Corolla.—Shape: Circular. Color: Inside: RHS 155D and RHS             58B Outside: RHS 155D Size: Height (flower depth): 3.0 cm             Diameter: 3.0 cm Petals: Arrangement: Single whorl Shape:             Rotundate to cuspidate Number (per flower): 5 Size: Length             (from the throat): 1.0 cm Width: 1.0 cm Apex: Obcordate             Base: Fused Margin: Smooth Color (when opening): Upper             surface: RHS 155D Lower surface: RHS 155D Color (fully             opened): RHS 155D and RHS 58B Upper surface: RHS 155D Lower             surface: RHS 155D Color fading to: RHS 155D and RHS 58B             Petal pubescence (both surfaces): Absent. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity per flower: 5 Anther: Shape: Linear             Length: 0.2 cm Anther color: RHS 158A Pollen color: RHS 158A             Pollen amount: Abundant Filament: Filament length: 15.0 mm             Filament color: RHS 137B.         -   Pistil.—Quantity: 1 Color: RHS 137B Size: Length: 20.0 mm             Width: 0.2 mm.         -   Style.—Length: 3.0 cm Color: RHS 138A.         -   Stigma.—Shape: 3 lobes Color: RHS 138C.         -   Ovary.—Color: RHS 143A. -   Disease resistance: Plant is tolerant to powdery mildew. -   Pest resistance: None observed. -   Comparison with commercial variety: ‘Barsixty’ differs from the     commercial variety ‘Bartwentynine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,259) in     that ‘Barsixty’ has white inflorescences with pink eyes and 4 to 5     stems per plant, while ‘Bartwentynine’ has white inflorescences with     2 to 3 stems per plant. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Phlox paniculata plant as described and shown herein. 